Examples abound in team front offices, too. Sam Presti (Oklahoma City Thunder), Dell Demps (New Orleans) and Kevin Pritchard (Indiana Pacers) are general managers who, like Ferry, once worked under Buford. “The success we’ve had on the court in the playoffs is great,” Budenholzer said, “but where Pop and I, and all of us, get just as big of a kick is watching people go out and be successful. We love it.” When it comes to launching careers, the Spurs have had more success than other recent champions, like the Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics, the Mavericks and the Miami Heat.